Rooney makes welcome start for United

Wayne Rooney has been handed his first Premier League start since the beginning of October today as Manchester United look to take top spot by beating Blackburn at Old Trafford.

Rooney scored the late winner at Rangers in midweek and Alex Ferguson has kept faith with the striker, who partners Dimitar Berbatov in a United side that also includes Anderson for the first time in six weeks.

Blackburn are without Mame Biram Diouf, who is on loan from the Red Devils, and Herold Goulon was handed his first start.

Morten Gamst Pedersen, who has been in sparkling form of late, has lost his race for fitness.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael Da Silva, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Nani, Carrick, Anderson, Park, Berbatov, Rooney.

Subs: Kuszczak, Giggs, Hernandez, O’Shea, Evans, Fletcher, Obertan.

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Chimbonda, Jones, Emerton, Dunn, Goulon, El-Hadji Diouf, Roberts.

Subs: Bunn, Givet, Linganzi, Mwaruwari, Hoilett, Hanley, Morris.

Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)